Commercialism Guidelines

Although
commerce is a driving force for our technologies, INDA’s conferences are not a
platform for commercial (sales) presentations. Presentations that are technical
and objective enhance the credibility of the presenter and his or her
organization. Restricting commercialism ultimately benefits both the presenters
and the INDA audience.

Excessive
use of brand names, product names, logos, failure to substantiate performance
claims, and failure to objectively discuss alternative methods, processes or
equipment are indicators of a commercial sales presentation.

Please
follow the guidelines below to avoid commercialism when preparing papers and
presentations for INDA.

Capabilities: Discussions of corporate
capabilities or experiences are prohibited unless they pertain to the specific
presented data.

Company Names: Excessive use of a company
name will be prohibited. INDA recommends using your company name no more than
three times in a single presentation. This excludes the use of a corporate
name/logo on PowerPoint templates/backgrounds.

Graphics that primarily promote a
product or service will not be allowed. Graphics should relate
specifically to the presentation.

“Industry Practice”
Statements:
Reporting the extent of application of technologies, products or services
should reflect the extent of application of all generically similar
technologies, products or services in the field.

Content: Ideally, speakers should
present new information that promotes the advancement of the industry. Presenting
previously published information should be information updated within the last
year.

PowerPoint
Templates/Backgrounds: Use of corporate PowerPoint templates is allowed.

Ranking: Although general
comparisons of products and services without data are prohibited, specific
generic comparisons that are supported by the reported data are allowed.

Substantiating Data: If products or services are
described, all reported capabilities, features or benefits must be
substantiated by data or by an explanation as to why the data are unavailable.

Trade Names: Excessive use of brand
names, product names, trade names, or trademarks is forbidden. A general
guideline is to use trade names and product names once in the beginning of the
paper or presentation, and thereafter, to use generic descriptors, or neutral designations
such as Type A, Type B, Type C, etc.

Interpretation
and Enforcement

INDA Staff and the Conference Chair are responsible to review and
monitor the compliance of presentations to these guidelines.

If the
presentation submitted does not comply with INDA’s commercial guidelines, it
will not be shared with the conference attendees or released as part of the
conference proceedings. You will be notified if any issues need to be
addressed, and will have an opportunity to correct the problem.